Big 12 football: Your weekend primer

A little bit about Oklahoma: Well, we’re a week removed from wondering what life would be like without Mike Stoops. And now we’re into the second week of Oklahoma playing against a team that’s allergic to good offense. While the OU defense held TCU to 275 total yards – an impressive total against anyone not named TCU – it’s hard to now elevate this team into one that’s considered to have an above-average defense. Will Kansas State be a better barometer?

Probably not, and this game isn’t going to come down to worrying and wondering about the defense. The Oklahoma offense is the only thing anyone needs to worry about. In fact, the coaching staff, now on the honeymoon period with Ruffin McNeil in charge, gets a pass defensively. There’s no reason to evaluate them any further, because we know a good offense is going to be good enough to win the Big 12. A great offense, in fact, is the formula for making the playoff. It’s worked before. No reason to think it won’t work again.

OU is going to score the first few touchdowns of the game and make K-State’s offense irrelevant. The Cats are a one-dimensional team by choice and don’t want anything to do with the forward pass. Once OU leads 10-0 or even 14-0, Kansas State is pretty much cut at the knees. That’s what happens Saturday. The Sooners might not be great on defense, but they won’t need to be. Give the 23.5 points. OU 55-27.

A little bit about Oklahoma State: The only team seemingly in more trouble than Oklahoma State is the Oklahoma City Thunder – and neither coach is particularly well liked. OSU coach Mike Gundy has mishandled the media, the quarterback and the running back situations so far this year and the result may mean missing a bowl game.

All of that and still you gotta wonder, is Texas really the sixth-best team in the country? Pardon me if I don’t believe in the Longhorns. The last time we saw them, Baylor was throwing into the endzone for the win in Austin. Not exactly the kind of resume builder you want.

I like the idea of Gundy and Oklahoma State being counted out and left for dead. They’ll figure it out this week and they’ll figure it out by giving Justice Hill the ball. He needs to get it 20-25 times on the ground, not 11 like he had last time out against K-State. I also like Texas to implode. Sam Ehlinger’s health is in question, but he’s not a quarterback who goes out and wins games for you, anyway. Neither does Shane Buechele. Texas will be good for a few turnovers in this game. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have won three in a row over Texas, four of the past five and six of the past eight.

An upset: Likely won’t register as a huge upset, but Texas Tech is getting four points at an Iowa State team that is trending way up, despite being just 3-3 on the season. The Cyclones are coming off a big win and a great defensive performance against West Virginia and have spent the past week hearing all about it. Meanwhile, Matt Campbell, the Iowa State Wunderkid seems to be the next big-time coach. Let’s settle down. Texas Tech is 5-2 and playing pretty well, too. Also quarterback Alan Bowman is back from injury. I think Iowa State is due for a letdown. Texas Tech will score in this one. Take the four points, but once again, you don’t need them. Tech 38-31.

Will Kansas win: Well, there’s room on the bandwagon. After KU beat Rutgers it seemed as though anything was possible. Alas, it’s not. Even against TCU. KU will keep it close, though. Take the Hawks – to cover the 13.5 points. TCU 35-24.